WSSU welcomes class of 2023

Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) is welcoming the class of 2023.

According to Enrollment Management, more than 950 students began arriving on campus starting with freshman move-in on Friday, Aug. 9. 

Ram Ready

Again this year, WSSU is making sure the class of 2023 is prepared for their college experience even before they hit campus.

Last year, WSSU introduced Ram Ready, a multichannel communications campaign that incorporates traditional and digital communications and is enhanced by Winston, a text-message virtual assistant. In 2017, WSSU partnered with AdmitHub to became the first HBCU in the nation to offer virtual assistant technology to its students. 

Ram Ready was enhanced even more this year with the introduction of a monthly e-newsletter for incoming freshmen.

Last year, 86 percent of freshmen had completed all their steps by move-in weekend. This year, the percentage is expected to be even higher, said Joel Lee, associate vice chancellor of enrollment management.

Ram Ready and its impact reducing the "summer melt" was highlighted recently in an Inside Higher Ed column.

Ramdition: Ram Madness 

Ramdition, WSSU’s weeklong orientation for first-time freshmen, got under way on Sunday, Aug. 11, with the Welcome Session. During the week, students will meet members of the university’s administration, faculty and staff and be placed in groups, each led by student legacy leaders.

Activities include:

• The Academic Fair on Monday, Aug. 12.
• The Innovation Project, where students will be presented with a social justice issue and asked to come up with an innovative approach to addressing it.
• The third annual Ramdition 2K Wellness Walk and Glow Party on Tuesday, Aug. 13.

Ramdition concludes on Saturday, Aug. 17, with Through the Archway. The ceremony, a tradition since 2009, begins with a processional, led by the sophomore class, the Student Government Association and Chancellor Elwood L. Robinson. Students will walk through the university’s historic arches, symbolizing their transition from “Lambs to Rams.” Along the processional route, students will be greeted by faculty, staff, administration, alumni and their families.

The ceremony will be followed by Meet the Rams, an opportunity to meet the student-athletes participating in fall sports for WSSU athletics. The free community event also will include performances by the Red Sea of Sound marching band and the WSSU Powerhouse of Red and White cheerleaders.

Record Numbers

WSSU also is welcoming more than 400 new transfer students, about the same number as last year, Lee said. The incoming class of students for graduate and professional programs is expected to be near the same as last year, which set a university record.

Last year’s freshman class numbered 933. This is the fourth consecutive year that first-time freshman enrollment at WSSU has exceeded 900 students. Official enrollment numbers will be released in September.

About Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem State University fosters the creative thinking, analytical problem-solving, and depth of character needed to transform the world. Rooted in liberal education, WSSU’s curriculum prepares students to be thought leaders who have the skills and knowledge needed to develop innovative solutions to complex problems. Founded in 1892, WSSU is a historically Black constituent institution of the University of North Carolina with a rich tradition of contributing to the social, cultural, intellectual, and economic growth of North Carolina, the region and beyond. Guided by the motto, “Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve,” WSSU develops leaders who advance social justice by serving the world with compassion and commitment.